Comedian who won best joke at the Fringe says it 'isn't his favourite type of gag'

The comedian whose joke was voted the funniest at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has said it isn't the best one in his show and it isn't the sort of gag he most enjoys. Mark Simmons took this year's award for his gag with: "I was going to sail around the globe in the world's smallest ship but I bottled it". Simmons, a Mock The Week panellist, told Sky News: "I don't think it's my best joke in my show, but I think it is probably the best one written down so that, you know, so everyone can understand it.

"Personally, I like jokes where you kind of take them down a path and then you suddenly reveal...

a nice twist and it surprises everyone and they ignite big laughs. "Whereas with some of my jokes, there's clever wordplay and you get kind of a nice little laugh as you go but it's good in a show to have a variety." It was a vintage year for him, as another of his jokes appeared on the shortlist of 10, nominated by a panel including leading comedy critics and comedians, who watched hundreds of shows, then voted on by 2,000 people.

The gag runs: "I love the Olympics. My friend and I invented a new type of relay baton: well, he came up with the idea, I ran with it." More on Edinburgh Office manager who swindled bosses to fund luxury lifestyle ordered to pay back six-figure sum 'No crime established' after police review 'hate incident' at Reginald D Hunter Edinburgh Fringe show Reginald D Hunter addresses Edinburgh Fringe gig after two 'Israeli audience members told to leave' Related .